Design Spotlight: Fluted Furniture
In recent years, fluted details and accents have captured the world of interior design and fashion by storm. Fluted designs originated in the Greco-Roman period, and circled back again with the Art Deco era in the 1920’s.
This latest resurgence has redefined the look to be more sleek and modern, across the board. It’s a simple and interesting way to add textural dimension to any space or home, especially by the way of fluted furniture.
‘Fluted’ or ‘ribbed’ is how most of our clients reference this grooved furniture style, but we often use these words interchangeably with its more technical name: tambour.
What is Tambour Furniture?
Tambour is created by laying narrow strips of wood dowels closely together on a flexible backing. Our tambour comes in a variety of materials, styles, and sizes, ranging from 1/2”-3“, with both semi-circular and flat rectangular profile options.
Back in the day, tambour was intended to roll up into itself (like a modern garage door) but today is more commonly used as a decorative accent, like the pieces featured in our gallery.
We love incorporating tambour as a subtle statement in our designs and handpicked a list of our favorite recent commissions to inspire you to spice it up as well. And as always, our pieces are made only with the highest quality, and lovingly sourced, wood materials.
Fluted Furniture to Spice Up Your Home
‘Halo’- Fluted Pedestal Dining Table
Our best-selling Halo pedestal dining table features a solid wood circular top with a fluted pedestal base, using our larger semi-circular tambour. Halo was originally commissioned in solid white oak, but like most of our fluted furniture styles, is also available in superior walnut, natural ash, or black ash.
We love Halo’s round shape for smaller dining areas and kitchen nooks to maximize space. Halo can also be scaled down further in size to function as an entry table, coffee table, or end table. Halo always works beautifully in otherwise understated or minimalist spaces.
Halo in white oak (58”W x 30”H) styled with white wishbone chairs from Poly & Bark.
Halo in white oak, scaled down in size to function as a statement entry way table.
Halo in superior walnut (50”W x 30”H) styled with Hans Wegner wishbone style chairs.
‘Supernova’ - Parsons Style Dining Table w/ Fluted Edging
Supernova is the sister piece to our fan-favorite parson’s style table, Nova, but with some new eye-catching details. Featuring our flat-profile rectangular tambour wood paneling on the edge of the table skirt, with an optional statement brass inlay tucked underneath the tabletop.
Supernova was originally commissioned in solid white oak, but is also available in walnut, ash, or blackened ash.
Supernova in white oak (38"W x 118"L X 30"H), styled with seating for (10) guests. In collaboration with The LifeStyled Co.
Close up of Supernova’s fluted table skirt and brass inlay in solid white oak. In collaboration with The Lifestyled Co.
Supernova in white oak, styled in client’s home with seating for (8) guests.
Close up of Supernova featuring our flat-profile rectangular tambour table skirt accent.
‘Equinox’ - Kitchen Sideboard w/ Two Sliding Fluted Doors
Equinox was commissioned as a kitchen sideboard, but can double as a media console. Flat rectangular profile tambour doors run a on a sliding track that can be opened with subtle keyhole finger holds. Equinox contains 4 shelves inside for safe, out-of-sight storage of dining room knick-knacks, curiosities, fine china, and more.
Several coats of water-based finish are sprayed on Equinox’s natural wood surface & add a layer of extra protection. Equinox was originally commissioned using solid white oak, but can be customized to suit your wood preference.
Equinox in solid white oak, featuring sliding fluted doors and 4 shelving units.
The sliding doors of Equinox feature our flat profile, rectangular tambour.
‘Aura’ - Oval Dining Table w/ Two Half Moon Fluted Bases
The Aura dining table features a solid wood oval top, with two half-moon fluted legs wrapped in semi-circular tambour. Aura’s oval tabletop offers the same surface area as our standard rectangular tables, but the rounded edges provide a slightly softer aesthetic while also complimenting the rounder edge of this tambour style.
Aura offers a great balance of clean geometry and organic beauty, a nod to ambient Japandi interiors. You can easily adapt this piece into different spaces and design combinations.
Aura in solid white oak (78”L x 47”W x 30”H)
Aura in solid white oak styled with (6) black rattan basket style chairs
‘Umbra’ - Oval Dining Table w/ 3 Fluted Pedestal Bases
Tambour gets the ultimate modern makeover in the form of Umbra- one of our newest fluted dining table styles. Umbra features an oval tabletop with an angled, undercut bevel and three round bases with fluted tambour detailing.
Umbra is our first fluted piece to be commissioned in solid ash, dyed black to give it its signature charcoal colored appearance. The tambour paneling on this piece lays flat (in comparison to the semi-circular shape used for Aura and Halo).
Umbra styled in client’s home with seating for up to 10 guests. In collaboration with The Lifestyled Co.
Close up view of Umbra’s flat profile rectangular tambour bases.
Leaving inspired? If you’re interested in commissioning your own unique piece of fluted furniture, check out our top 5 tips on how to get started ordering custom furniture, or send us a message for a free estimate.